What makes overcoming uncertainty difficult is that we normally do not act until success is
Saul, the King
1st King of Israel
The Philistines invaded Israel.
They had the advantage.
Saul panicked under uncertainty.
The prophet Samuel rebuked him.
Saul sulked under a pomegranate tree.
Deut. 20:1-4 “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: ‘Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’”
Saul’s unlawful sacrifice shows us that overcoming uncertainty does not come through
1 Samuel 13:11-12 “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
Jonathan, the Son of the King
Son to Saul and eventual friend to David
Jonathan had just his armor bearer and one sword.
They went to the Philistine outpost and put themselves out there.
1 Samuel 14:6 “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
Why did Jonathan act, when Saul did not?
1. Jonathan knew God’s instructions.
2. Jonathan trusted the character of God.
3. Jonathan obeyed with courage.
Overcoming uncertainty is expressed when we have absolute confidence in God and are willing to act with God without a guarantee of
1 Samuel 14:12 “The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, ‘Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.’ So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, ‘Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.’”
What is the one thing that you haven’t done for God yet because you’re uncertain how it will go?
Overcoming uncertainty means putting yourself out there and embracing “
Your marching orders include…
• Making disciples.
• Being ambassadors of reconciliation.
• Loving your neighbors.
• Being His witnesses to your community, nation, and world.